Air New Zealand has landed at Sunshine Coast Airport, signaling the seasonal return of its international service.
The seasonal service will operate three times a week (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday) until 24 October, providing more than 17,000 seats between the Sunshine Coast and Auckland.
The seasonal service will offer New Zealanders the opportunity to bask in the Sunshine Coast’s winter warmth and dive into its amazing winter events like the Curated Plate and Australian Wearable Art Festival. Meanwhile, locals will find New Zealand is ready to offer visitors rich cultural experiences and breathtaking natural wonders.
SCA CEO Chris Mills said the partnership with Air New Zealand connects thousands of people every year and the airline’s return was great news for the region.
“We’re excited to welcome back Air New Zealand for their 12th year of connecting the Sunshine Coast to Auckland,” Mr Mills said.
“The Sunshine Coast and Noosa are fantastic holiday spots, brimming with natural beauty, exciting events, and unique experiences. The international connection to Auckland has been vital for regional tourism and the more than 90,000 Kiwis who visit the Coast every year.
“The return of Air New Zealand helps reconnect locals with loved ones thanks to the airline’s excellent domestic network across New Zealand. It is also easy to explore new travel destinations in North America and Asia via Auckland’s international connections.
“We greatly value our partnership with Air New Zealand and we are looking forward to another fantastic season.”
Air New Zealand General Manager Australia Kathryn O’Brien said the airline is eager to return to the Sunshine Coast.
“The return of Air New Zealand services marks another exciting season of connecting Kiwis with one of Australia’s most loved holiday destinations. Whether it’s the pristine beaches, vibrant local culture, or the winter festivals that draw them here, our customers love the ease and warmth of flying direct from Auckland.
“At the same time, this service provides Sunshine Coast locals with convenient access to all that New Zealand has to offer, from world-class food and wine to awe-inspiring landscapes. This route continues to be incredibly popular with both leisure travellers and those visiting friends and family. We’re proud to play a part in bringing our two regions closer together once again.”
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel welcomed the return of Air New Zealand’s direct sea-sonal service.
“New Zealand and the Sunshine Coast have always had a strong connection – it’s our largest international market, and we really value that relationship,” Mr Stoeckel said.
“These services make it easy for our Kiwi friends to enjoy everything the Sunshine Coast has to offer – and they can be soaking up the sunshine by lunchtime.”
Tourism Noosa’s CEO Sharon Raguse said “Welcome back, Air New Zealand! With direct flights from Auckland landing at Sunshine Coast Airport this week, winter is the perfect time for Kiwis to visit and enjoy the sweet life in Noosa.”
“There’s a warm welcome waiting in Noosa, with tourism operators ready to once again host our friends from across the ditch. New Zealand remains one of our most important international markets, with 29,000 Kiwi visitors arriving in the year to December 2024 and contributing almost $37 million to the Noosa economy.”
Ends
About Sunshine Coast Airport
Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA) is the gateway to the Sunshine Coast and one of Australia’s fastest growing airports. SCA directly connects the Sunshine Coast community to five domestic and international destinations (Adelaide, Auckland, Cairns, Melbourne and Sydney) and is supported by five airlines (Air New Zealand, Alliance, Jetstar, Qantas and Virgin Australia). With more than 80 flights per week to Sydney and Melbourne, and convenient connections to Adelaide, Auckland and Cairns, SCA is the natural choice.
In July 2023, Sunshine Coast Airport was declared a Priority Development Area (PDA), with a new Development Scheme taking effect on Friday 27 September 2024. The Development Scheme will unlock opportunities that attract investment, drive economic growth and create jobs on and off airport. By 2040, it is estimated the airport will directly contribute $460m in total to Australia’s GDP. Jobs on airport are forecast to grow to 2,400 by 2040 and support a total of 3438 jobs (direct and indirect).
Sunshine Coast Airport Pty Ltd operates and manages Sunshine Coast Airport, the gateway to the Sunshine Coast and Noosa regions, under a 99-year lease from Sunshine Coast Council which commenced in December 2017.
